England v Argentina: Bellingham bounce attracts more bets than Messi to score
Jude Bellingham’s emergence as England’s World Cup hero has seen him backed by more punters than Lionel Messi to score in Wednesday’s semi-final with Argentina.
Data from Sportradar, which processes betting tickets for 250 gambling firms worldwide, reveals that Bellingham has accounted for more than half (52 per cent) of wagers in the goalscorer market.
Despite having scored eight times already at the tournament, Argentina talisman Messi has attracted just 34 per cent of bets.
Bellingham has six goals at the World Cup having scored twice in each of England’s last two games, Saturday’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway and the 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in the previous round.
England striker Harry Kane, who has also scored six goals, accounts for 11 per cent of bets in the goalscorer market.
“Jude Bellingham’s match winning performances at the World Cup have mesmerised fans,” said Darren Small, SVP Managed Trading Services at Sportradar. “There’s increased confidence amongst bettors that he’ll score on Wednesday night.”
Bellingham banked on to avenge Argentina defeats
Bellingham’s inspirational turns have drawn comparisons with England’s best ever individual performances at a World Cup, such as Paul Gascoigne in 1990 and Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966.
The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder also scored in England’s opening win over Croatia and the final group game against Panama, yet attracted just one per cent of bets in the goalscorer market for the last-16 clash with Mexico and 14 per cent against Norway.
The semi-final is the first meeting between England and Argentina in a World Cup knockout match since 1998, when the South Americans prevailed on penalties after a 2-2 draw marked by Michael Owen’s wondergoal and David Beckham’s red card.
History between the two nations runs deep on and off the field, not least because of Diego Maradona’s handball goal as Argentina beat England on their way to lifting the trophy in 1986.